Iceland - Trek the Land of Extremes

Holiday Itinerary

Day 1: Rendezvous at the group's guesthouse in Reykjavik. KE Land Only package services begin with overnight at this guesthouse. There will be an initial meeting with the local guide at the guesthouse at around 7 pm.

Day 2: We drive across the Hellisheidi moorland to Landmannalaugar, passing dramatic Mount Hekla. On arrival, we set up camp and then take a dip in the fabulous hot springs.

Day 3: With the support vehicle loaded, we trek across a volcanic landscape of sulphur vents and rhyolite hills to our camp at the hot springs at Hrafntinnusker. 12 kilometres of walking with approximately 800 metres of ascent and 400 metres of descent.

Day 4: Mostly descending today, through a chaotic canyon system, then passing between the icecaps of Torfajokull and Myrdalsjokull to the beautiful lake of Alftavatn (Swan Lake). 12.5 kilometres of walking with approximately 500 metres of ascent at 1000 metres of descent.

Day 5: Heading south, we cross several rivers and then a surreal plain of black sand and pumice. Beyond a range of low hills, we camp at Emstrur. 19 kilometres of walking with approximately 550 metres of ascent and 600 metres of descent.

Day 6: Hiking through the Markarfljot Canyons, we reach the birch forest and greenery of the spectacular Porsmork Valley, surrounded by glaciated peaks. 17 kilometres of walking with approximately 600 metres of ascent and 850 metres of descent.

Day 7: A long day and an early start, as we make the tough trek across Fimmvorduhals Pass (1116m), with views of icecaps and the Porsmork Valley. We then drive to Reykjavik, where we check in at our guesthouse accommodation. 28 kilometres of walking with approximately 1300 metres of ascent and 1500 metres of descent.

Day 8: KE Land Only package services end with breakfast at our accommodation.

GPS Trip Data

Click on the link below to view the detailed stats for this holiday via Garmin Connect. Tracked using a Garmin etrex20 you can see detailed mapping of the route, daily distances travelled, the total ascent and descent each day and maximum altitude.